Intro
We are considering the 8th Beatitude in Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Persecution is a major theme in Scripture. We see it in the first family; it runs all through the Old and New Testaments; and in the last book of the Bible millions are martyred by the Antichrist.i Cain killed Abel. And the simple explanation of his atrocity is: “Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous” (1 John 3:12).ii In a previous message, we processed the reasons why the ungodly persecute the godly.iii Then last week we explored biblical instruction for how we are to respond to persecution when it comes into our lives.
In this message we will focus on how to prepare for persecution that may come in the days ahead. The culture in America is becoming more and more hostile toward Christianity. Overt efforts to silence the Christian voice are evident in universities and the media. During the pandemic, governments seized the opportunity to assert authority over churches and close them down.iv
The World Health Organization, the disease control wing of UN, is currently trying to expand its power with proposed changes to the Pandemic Accord. The proposed amendments to the 2005 International Health Regulations are alarming and if accepted will affect the whole world.v It could constitute a giant step toward the control Antichrist will eventually exercise in the last days.vi This month the World Health Assembly is processing these changes.vii Events are going on behind the scenes that may result in expanded governmental control and increased persecution.
Worldwide persecution of Christians is on the rise.viii “More than 360 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. This number represents one in seven Christians worldwide.ix In America our constitution has provided an unusual level of protection against persecution. But powerful forces are at work seeking to change that. We do not know the future. God could intervene and reverse the trends. But current trends tell us that increased persecution is ahead. We do not panic over that; but we should prepare for the possibility.
The scriptural preparation has much more to do with our spiritual conditioning than physical prepping. There is some wisdom in storing up resources for future needs. The tiny ant teaches us to do that according to Proverbs 6:6-8. God gave Joseph the wisdom to store up food during the prosperous years in preparation for hard times ahead. There can be practical, prudent physical preparations for future challenges. But that is not the emphasis, especially in the New Testament. To respond successfully to persecution, we must have the right mindset and consecration to the Lord. We must be spiritually prepared.
I want to share with you few biblical steps we should take now to prepare for potential increased persecution in the future. We will only have time to deal with two of those today.
I. EXPECT Persecution.
In John 15:20 Jesus said to his disciples, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” Did the world persecute Jesus? So much so that they crucified him on a Roman cross! Jesus is issuing this warning to the apostles, but they are representatives of all Christ’s followers including you and me.x
Paul confirmed this in 2 Timothy 3:12 when he wrote, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Do you desire to live godly in Christ Jesus? If so, then expect some persecution to come your way. The persecution may be mild; it may be a social pressure that excludes you from activities. It could be as severe as martyrdom. But persecution is part of God’s plan for his people. To the carnal mind that sounds quite strange. Couldn’t an almighty, sovereign God shield his people from such hardship. Of course, he could. And there are times when he does shield us from it. Typically, persecution is not always happening in a Christian’s life. But there will be times of persecution for “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus.” Why does God allow persecution in the believer’s life? There are benefits that can only come in that context. We will talk about that more in a moment.
Follow with me as we read John 15:18-21. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”
Jesus names two possible responses from those who encounter the light that is in us. Verse 20: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” They will either embrace the word of God and enter into the light with you or they will reject the light and persecute you. The choice between those two options rests with them. Notice the centrality of God’s word in Jesus’s statement. They either embrace the truth in the Bible or they become hostile toward that truth. In a previous message we discussed why godliness can provoke persecution.xi
There are two kingdoms operating in the earth: the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Through our lifestyle and message of Christ, the world discerns something different about us. They push us away because of that difference. “If you were of the world [Jesus said], the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” We need to know why the rejection is taking place lest we think there is something wrong with us or think we have done something wrong. We do look to God for wisdom when interacting with the world so that we don’t create unnecessary communication barrier through our own foolishness. But you can do everything right and still be persecuted simply because of the light that is in you. In fact, the persecution often comes because you are doing something right; you are letting the light of Christ shine through you.
Why is Jesus issuing this warning? In John 16:1-4, Jesus answers that question. Keep in mind this comes immediately after Jesus’s warning about persecution. “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.”
The warning is given so that we will stand strong when it happens. “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.” The Greek word skandalilzo is translated “be offended” in the KJV, and the RSV translates it “fall away.” Jesus used the same term in his Olivet Discourse when he said to his followers,
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended [skandalilzo: RSV says ‘fall away’], will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 24:9-14).
This falling away will occur when lawlessness is abounding. Is that happening today? Is there a movement to defund the police so that law enforcement is minimized? Improvements may need to be made in law enforcement. But we certainly don’t need less enforcement of the law.xii In the church, is there a movement toward antinomianism, a rejection of biblical boundaries on moral behavior. Is lawlessness abounding today? It could get worse but is alarmingly bad right now. In that context, Jesus is predicting “the love of many will grow cold.” Many will become disillusioned and fall away. Second Thessalonians 2:3 predicts a great falling away in the last days. Why are we told these things?
We are told this so that it will not come as a surprise; so that we will not think that the Lord has somehow forsaken us; so that we will not lose heart or be offended at the Lord. Peter wrote to Christians who encountered persecution and said to them, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Pet. 4:12). Do not think it strange. The Greek word translated strange indicates a bewilderment.xiii I am a child of the King. How can this be happening to me? It happens because you are a child of the King. Persecution is not contrary to God’s plan for your life. And it helps to know that before it happens. That’s why we are dealing with it this morning.
In Acts 14 Paul and Barnabas returned to some of their converts “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, [Acts 14:22] ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’” Why such a negative message? Paul told them that simply because it is true. It is the same reason we are declaring this today. I would rather have a true message that strengthens me “to continue in the faith” than a positive message that misleads me and sets me up for failure.
When this warning is left out of the instruction for believers, they are ill-equipped for something that will inevitably happen in their lives. Being “the head and not the tail,” does not mean you will never suffer.xiv It means God will direct your life in a way that ultimately leads to exaltation and glory.xv
Look again at 1 Peter 4:12 and the verses that immediately follow. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified (1 Peter 4:12-15).
So, one preparation for persecution is to know that it is coming, expect it, know that it is part of God’s plan for his people.
II. Know the BENEFITS of Persecution.
In this beatitude Jesus says that persecution is a blessing. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10).
Benefit #1: It confirms the authenticity of your faith. While talking about the persecution he and other believers were experiencing, Paul wrote in Philippians 1:28-30, “and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”
Is persecution a gift from God? According to this passage, it is: “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” It takes some renewing of the mind to think that way.xvi But one reason Paul dealt successfully with the persecution he was experiencing is this kind of thinking. He is trying to help fellow believers embrace that mindset as well. This mindset will make more sense and we proceed through these benefits. But notice the word “proof” in verse 28. When persecution happens, it proves two things. It proves the ungodly persecutors are not a part of God’s kingdom and are destined to perdition or destruction.xvii Secondly, it proves the persecuted believers are destined for salvation and glory; “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10).
Benefit #2: It results in rewards in heaven. In Matthew 5:12 while stating this beatitude, Jesus said, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” At the Judgment Seat of Christ every believer will receive rewards proportionate to his or her faithfulness in this life. Jesus taught this principle in the Parable of the Talents.xviii Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” On that day, faithfulness under persecution will be lavishly rewarded. We must keep that in mind when suffering persecution. We must keep our eyes on the prize, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
Jesus endured his suffering by seeing “the joy that was set before Him”—anticipating the glory that would follow.xix In Ephesians 5:25-27 Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before Him.” Astonishingly, you and I are a part of that “joy that was set before Him.” Jesus endured his ordeal in anticipation of the prize: his bride, the church. And we endure any ordeal we may suffer for his sake in anticipation of our coming Groom. “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.”xx
Benefit #3: It can enlarge opportunities for witnessing. In fact, our English word Martyr comes from Greek word for witnessing. In Acts 7 we see the martyrdom of Stephen. Then Acts 8:1-4 says, “Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”
God used the persecution to scatter his people, and in doing that, the seed of the word was scattered. “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” They became more effective for advancing the kingdom in persecution than they would have been in their comfort zone at Jerusalem. The next story is how Phillip went into Samaria, and a great revival broke out. A deacon who had been waiting tables for the church crowd was thrust into the harvest and reached a whole city for Christ.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus told the church, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you [That happened in Acts 2]; and you shall be witnesses [martus] to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." God had to stir their comfortable nest at Jerusalem to thrust them into that destiny. He used the persecution in Acts 8 to move them into Samaria and toward the ends of the earth. What about us? What needs to happen to move today’s church into her God-given purpose? The purpose is not comfort; it is fruitfulness.xxi We desire a secular government that coddles us. But we may be more effective when under persecution, the Lord coddles us.
A godly response to persecution can prick the conscience of the persecutors. Stephen’s response in Acts 7:60 brought conviction on a persecutor named Saul of Tarsus. In the next chapter he is converted and became Paul, the apostle. And what did God tell Ananias about Paul? In Acts 9:15 the Lord said to Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.” In the context of future persecution, Paul would give testimony of Christ “before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
When Jesus talked about persecution in Mark 13:11, Jesus gave this instruction: “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is a very present help during times of persecution.xxii
The persecution I have experienced has been mild. But even in mild persecution, I experienced an unusual grace from God during those times.xxiii In fact, some of my most precious times with the Lord have come during a season of persecution. That is the unseen factor that the world will never understand. The persecution that would be bitter because of the hardship becomes sweet because of the extraordinary intimate, loving assurance and comfort from the Lord in such times. This unseen factor was at work in Acts 7:55-56 when Stephen saw his Lord standing at the right hand of the Father waiting to receive him.
Persecution is an engagement with the world. And an engagement with the world always carries the potential for lost souls being saved. It was persecution that put Daniel in the lion’s den which turned into witnessing opportunities.xxiv It was persecution that put Paul and Silas in prison which resulted in the salvation of the jailer and his household. Persecution can drive us out of our comfort zone into the harvest field. A godly response to persecution can prick the conscience of the persecutors and result in their salvation. So, persecution can enlarge our opportunities for witnessing.
Benefit #4: It Purifies the Church.
Persecution has a way of separating the wheat from the chaff, true believers from false professors. Whether the numbers increase or decrease, the church is strengthened by the process. The fiery trial exposes the true nature of those professing Christ.
A lukewarm, Laodicean church thinks it is strong. It says to itself, “'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” It is unaware of its weak spiritual state. It does not know that it is “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”xxv To the compromising church Jesus says in Revelation 3:18, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire.” Out of the fires of persecution, a pure church emerges that can operate in the strength of the Holy Spirit. When persecution comes, the insincere jump ship. But the sincere draw near to the Lord and become empowered for witnessing to the world.
Benefit #5: It serves as a Refining Process for Individual Believers.
In 1 Peter. 5:10, that apostle talked about the benefits of godly sorrow. He wrote to persecuted believers, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
There is a depth and stability of character that can only be produced in the unpleasant experiences of suffering. A Christian may be a very sincere in his early walk with the Lord and still be shallow in character and understanding. But as that believer walks with the Lord through the valley of pain and persecution, he matures in his faith, he develops a weightiness in his words, he puts down a deep, unshakable root system in his commitments, and with compassion he is able to strengthen others in their troubles. Persecution is a refining process that removes the
dross of vanity. During his trials, Job declared of the Lord, “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 KJV).
Think about the persecution the Three Hebrew Children endured in Daniel 3. Their response to the persecution is a model for us. When Nebuchadnezzar threatened them with the fiery furnace, we have their reply in Dan 3:16-18: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.’”
That’s the right mindset for responding to persecution. God can deliver us from the threat. He will deliver at the right time and in his own way. But even if he doesn’t deliver us, even if he has us endure the suffering, we will not compromise what is right. That takes grit. That takes confidence in God’s goodness. That takes courage. The Holy Spirit can empower us to respond in that way.
The Lord was with them through the ordeal, and God did deliver them. The ropes that bound them were burned off, but they were entirely unharmed. They came through that fiery furnace without even the smell of smoke. The testimony of Yahweh went out through the land, and the Three Hebrew Children were promoted (Dan. 3).
In Isaiah 43:1-3 God makes this promise to his people: “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
We do not fear the possibility of persecution because God’s grace is sufficient for anything we may encounter.xxvi He will never leave us nor forsake. If he leads us into a valley, he will walk with us through that valley, and lead us out on the other side.xxvii
Conclusion:
We have only considered two important preparations for the possibility of persecution: (1) Expect persecution because Jesus said it would be part of our experience. With all that he has told us in Scripture, it should not take us by surprise. (2) Know the benefits of persecution. I did not enjoy having knee surgery last year. It was painful and difficult. But the benefits I am currently enjoying as a result of that surgery far exceed the pain. Persecution may involve some pain and suffering. But the benefits far outweigh all that.
We explored five benefits of persecution:
#1: It confirms the authenticity of our faith. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of
heaven” (Matt. 5:10).
#2: It results in rewards in heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven....” (Matt. 5:11-12).
#3: It can enlarge opportunities for witnessing. That certainly happened in the early church when persecution came on them. Acts 8:12 says, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”
#4: It Purifies the Church. It separates the wheat from the chaff. The insincere jump ship; the sincere draw near to God; and the result is a more powerful church.
#5: It Serves as a Refining Process for Individual Believers. The personal sufferings produce grit and stability in God’s people. The dross of vanity is removed, and the believer comes forth as pure gold.
Persecution is not a time when the devil is winning. The devil is never winning. God is simply using the opposition for his own eternal purposes. He is working all things together for the good of his people (Rom. 8:28).
Next week we will consider a few other preparations for persecution. Then I want to show you how to use the Beatitudes as a template in prayer.
Let’s close by asking God to fortify our thinking about persecution so that we see it as he sees it.
ENDNOTES:
i Cf. Rev. 6:8-9; 12:12-13.
ii For an exposition of this see Richard W. Tow, Authentic Christianity: Studies in 1 John (Bloomington, IN: WestBow Press, 2019), 194-196 Genesis 4:25 enlightens our understanding of Satan’s animosity toward God’s redemptive plans for mankind. The unrighteous, inspired by Satan, persecutes the righteous seed in an effort to obstruct God’s redemptive plan. Those born of the Spirit (John 3:5) are a significant threat to Satan’s kingdom since they may be used by God to deliver others out of Satan’s dominion. Cf. Gen. 4:1-13; Heb. 11:4.
iii See previous message in this series entitled “Persecution: Why?”
iv The governmental overreach during that time may be setting precedent for future violation of first amendment religious liberty.
v The proposed changes can be view at the World Health Organization Website: https://apps.who.int/gb/wgihr/.For a review of the proposed changes see John Campbell, “WHO New Health Regulations.” Accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooKyYEvIhYk&t=411s. Also see John Campbell, “WHO new powers concern.” Accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3jnoQeTW2E&t=9s.
vi Cf. Rev. 13:8; 12.
vii Michael Nevradakis, “Exclusive: WHO Proposals Could Strip Nations of Their Sovereignty, Create Worldwide Totalitarian State, Expert Warns,” Jan. 13, 2023, Children’s Health Defense. Accessed at https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/who-proposals-sovereignty-totalitarian-state/.
viii Emily McFarlan Miller, “Christian persecution higher than ever as Open Doors’ World Watch List marks 30 years,” Jan. 17, 2023, Religious News Service. Accessed at https://religionnews.com/2023/01/17/christian-persecution-higher-than-ever-as-open-doors-world-watch-list-marks-30-years/.
ix “2023 World Watch List: Persecution of Christians,” Jan. 17, 2023, Christian Activities. Accessed at https://www.christianactivities.com/2023-world-watch-list-persecution-of-christians/.
x Cf. John 17:20.
xi See Part 9 of this series.
xii Cf. Rom. 13:1-7.
xiii The Greek word xenizo in this context means “to surprise or astonish by the strangeness and novelty of a thing.” Strong’s NT:3579.
xiv Cf. Deut. 28:13; Phil. 2:5-11; Rom. 8:17; Heb. 11:25; 1 Pet. 4:16.
xv Cf. Phil. 2:5-11; Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17.
xvi Cf. Rom. 12:2.
xvii RSV says, “This is a clear omen [sign] to them of their destruction.”
xviii Matthew 25:14-30.
xix Cf. Eph. 5:25-27.
xx Ester Kerr Rusthoi, “When We See Christ” in The New Church Hymnal (Lexicon Music, 1976), 481.
xxi Cf. Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
xxii Cf. Deut. 33:25; Ps. 46:1.
xxiii To appreciate this statement, we must understand biblical grace as something more than an abstract favor by God in heaven. That favor is administered to us by the divine enablement of the Holy Spirit. During a time of persecution, Acts 4:33 says, “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”
xxiv Cf. Dan. 6:25-27.
xxv Consider the contrast in Revelation 2:8-11.
xxvi Cf. 2 Cor. 12:9. We must not respond to persecution relying on natural strength and willpower. We rely on God’s sustaining grace.
xxvii Cf. Ps. 23.
